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President demand urgent cessation of illegal exploration in Western Sahara

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Bir Lehlou (liberated territories), April 5, 2013 (SPS) - President of Republic and Secretary General of the Frente POLISARIO Mr. Mohamed Abdelaziz has demanded the urgent cessation of illegal survey operations off the coast of Western Sahara by Total SA’s foreign company, in a letter sent Thursday to the UN Secretary General Mr. Ban Ki-moon, a copy of it reached SPS.


“The Saharawi people and his leadership demand your urgent intervention in this matter. The United Nations and Security Council should send a clear message that the current activities of Total SA Group are illegal and should not be allowed to continue,” write President Mohamed Abdelaziz.


He expressed concern that such surveys indicate to an imminent initiation of the drilling for oil and gas as well as wholesale exploitation of Petroleum in Western Sahara, adding that this would constitute another serious violation to international law or to the inalienable right of the Saharawi people to control his own natural resources.


President of the Republic said that the continued illegal exploitation of Western Sahara’s natural resources would have “regrettable impact” in consolidating Morocco as an occupying power and help him in his attempts to legitimize its presence in the territory. It will also work to undermine the peace process and current efforts of the Personal Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Christopher Ross.”


He explained that the ongoing intensive exploration for oil highlights greater need to sort out the conflict of Western Sahara in order to prevent the exploitation of the Territory’s natural resources, which violates the sovereign rights of Saharawi people.


He therefore indicated that the long-term illegal exploitation of phosphate resources in the territory of Western Sahara by Moroccan state, and continued pillage by Moroccan and foreign fishing authorities of Saharawi people’s fishing wealth “is clear violations of international law and a severe reminder of the consequences of the denial of self-management for people of the Sahara Western.” (SPS)


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